Box Score
Upper Iowa played their first home game under lights tonight as they celebrated the Grand Opening of Harms-Eischeid Stadium. The Peacocks welcomed the Huskies of St. Cloud State University; SCSU was ranked #16 prior to a week one loss.

The Huskies took advantage of Peacock miscues in the early going to jump out to an early 20-0 lead after just one quarter of play. The Peacock errors included a blocked punt that resulted in a Husky touchdown and an interception that SCSU converted into another touchdown four plays later.

Upper Iowa used an 11-play, 80-yard drive in the second quarter to pull with 20-7.  The drive was capped off by a Mike Moser two-yard dive and was highlighted by a pair of Cole Jaeschke completions.  The sophomore signal caller hit Keaton Hosch for a 20 yards and Derek Giesking for 17 yards.

The Huskies stole the momentum back in the waning seconds of the half with their fourth touchdown on a 30-yard hookup between Phillip Klaphake and Eli Shoemaker.  St. Cloud State pushed their advantage to 32-7 with a score to open the third quarter.

Coach Tom Shea presents Steve and Diane Harms with a Upper Iowa jersey and game ball between the first and second quarters on Saturday night.

The Peacocks answered their guest's score two possessions later thanks to two more precise throws by Jaeschke.  Hosch pulled in a deep sideline route for 47 yards and Lucas Hefty tiptoed by the pylon for a 10-yard touchdown grab.

After a field goal and a second blocked punt for a touchdown, St. Cloud was ahead 45-13 on the scoreboard.  UIU put together one final scoring drive that covered 74 yards in seven plays.  Jaeschke escaped the pocket and scampered 32 yards down the visitor sideline to set up a first and goal at the five.  Hefty pulled in his second touchdown of the night and fourth of the season three plays later. 

Neither team would mark the scoreboard again as St. Cloud State handed Upper Iowa the 45-20 loss and dropped the Peacocks' record to 0-2 on the young season.

The Husky defense was solid against the Peacock run game allowing just 67 yards, but Upper Iowa was able to move the ball through the air passing for 324 yards this evening.  Third downs also proved to be an issue as SCSU was able to convert on 10 of their 15 chances, while UIU made a first down on just 5 of their 13 opportunities.  St. Cloud State's offense remained balanced on the night rushing for 200 yards and passing for 248 yards.

Jaeschke completed 27 of 39 passes for 324 yards, but did have two interceptions to go along with his two touchdown throws.  He also rushed for 48 yards on 8 carries.  Hosch had a big day pulling in six passes for 145 yards, while Hefty and Shay Gutman accounted for 65 and 63 yards, respectively.

Defensively, Tony Leggett led the Peacocks with 14 tackles, while Ethan Douglas and Jordan Andera each tallied 11 stops.  Keaton Martin had 9 tackles and Ethan Saunders added 8 including a sack and a pair of tackles for loss.

Upper Iowa will head out on the road next Saturday for another NSIC Cross-Division battle as they head north to the Minnesota-North Dakota border. The Peacocks will line up against the Dragons of MSU Moorhead at 1 p.m. Both teams will be looking to claim their first victory of 2012.